REGINA – The province has introduced new regulations aimed at protecting consumers when purchasing a used vehicle.
Licensed car dealers are now required to provide a minimum power train warranty, which covers engine and transmission.
The warranty applies to cars with less than 200,000 kilometres, and is good for 30 days or 1,000 kms, whichever comes first.
“We received a number of complaints from the public related to this issue,” Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) Matthew Barton explained.
“In response, the minimum warranty was designed to create a level of protection for people buying vehicles.”
It’s welcome news for used car dealers who said the law is now crystal clear.
“Before there was a grey area.”
“It clarifies it for all the dealers, that there’s no confusion as to what we have to offer the customer,” Siman Auto Sales Owner Dwight Siman said.
However, the warranties don’t apply to private sales.
“You buy a vehicle individually, from an individual, you have no protection. You own that vehicle, once you’ve transferred that cheque, you have no rights”, Siman explained.
FCAA encourages buyers to purchase their used vehicles from dealers, which would have consumer greater protections.
“I stopped buying privately some time ago, for a variety of reasons, I think this would confirm I made the right choice,” Tom Dickson, a car shopper, explained.